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Public Relations Scholarships

Have you ever wondered why your favorite movie star gave a specific answer on the red carpet, what the rationale was behind that politician admitting his affair or how an upstart company gained immense popularity overnight? Most likely, a public relations professional deserves some of the credit.

Public relations (PR for short) centers around maintaining the public image of businesses, organizations and individuals. In even simpler terms, public relations execs are responsible for making their client look good at all costs and, in the off chance there is a slip up, cleaning up the mess as quickly as possible. Public relations majors take a variety of classes including journalism, marketing, advertising, business, communications and sociology, all of which prepare students for the rigors of this particular career. There’s a definite need for members in this field – the Bureau of Labor Statistics says employment of public relations specialists is expected to grow 24 percent from 2008 to 2018 – and with the right education, you could be one of them. The only thing holding you back? Paying for school.

A number of schools like the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Florida offer public relations scholarships specifically to their majors but looking beyond campus can yield even more public relations scholarship opportunities. Both the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) give generously to their members, as do public relations firms like Fleishman-Hillard, which also has an internship program. We’ve pulled several public relations scholarships from the Scholarships.com database for you but to find even more scholarship awards for which you qualify, conduct a free scholarship search. It’s worth it!

ABA Academic Merit Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 4/2/2021
  • Amount: $5,000
  • The American Bus Association Academic Merit Scholarship is open to both ABA and non-ABA Members. To be eligible, candidates will have completed, at a minimum, their first year of an accredited university (4-year university/college or junior college); must have a declared major or course of study relevant to the transportation, travel and tourism industry; must possess a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or [...] More

ACES Bill Walsh Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 11/15/2020
  • Amount: $3,000
  • The Bill Walsh scholarship will go to an applicant who aspires to edit news and who demonstrates the talent and passion for language that Bill devoted his life to. The scholarships are open to college juniors, seniors and graduate students who have demonstrated an interest in and aptitude for copy editing jobs or internships. For more information and to download the application form, please visit [...] More

ACF American Advertising Federation-NM Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 6/4/2021
  • Amount: $1,400
  • The American Advertising Federation-New Mexico (AAF-NM) Scholarship Fund has been established to provide scholarships to deserving men and women who intend to enter the advertising profession. In order to apply, you must be a New Mexico resident enrolled full-time at a four-year New Mexico public or non-profit college/university as a junior or senior in one of the following majors: Business (with [...] More

Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference

  • Application Deadline: 2/1/2021
  • Amount: $1,000
  • The annual Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference program targets rising high school seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in journalism and who demonstrate qualities of "free spirit". Students come to Washington, D.C., to participate in an all-expenses-paid journalism conference at the Newseum. Students must fill out an application, and will be notified by mid-May if they [...] More

AQHA Journalism or Communications Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 12/1/2020
  • Amount: $32,000
  • Ideal candidates have been a member of AQHA or AQHYA for at least one year and are pursuing a college degree in journalism or communications. Recipient must pursue a career in news, editorial or print journalism, photojournalism or a related field. Member must apply during their senior year of high school or while enrolled as a freshman at an accredited college or university. Recipient must [...] More

Ashbrook Scholar Program

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: $2,000
  • The Ashbrook Scholarship is a $2,000 annual and renewable scholarship to Ashland University awarded solely on merit to the most promising students interested in studying politics and history. For more information, and to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More

Augustana College Fryxell Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/15/2021
  • Amount: $1,000
  • The Augustana College Fryxell Scholarship is offered to incoming freshmen, with preference given to those with an interest in studying English and/or journalism. Eligible applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and a have a declared major in the Humanities. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More

Austin Alliance for Women in Media Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2021
  • Amount: $5,000
  • AWM Austin is proud to award scholarships to college Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors studying media or a related field at a university in the Austin area (within a 40-mile radius from Austin). Consideration will also be given to students attending other colleges who graduated from an Austin area high school and maintain an Austin area permanent address. Applicants must have completed 60+ hours [...] More

AWC Springfield Educational Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2021
  • Amount: $1,000
  • College juniors, seniors or graduate students from Central Illinois or attending a college or university in Central Illinois who are majoring in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, graphic design, videography, photography or related fields are encouraged to apply for the 2020 Educational Scholarship sponsored by the Association for Women in Communications (AWC) in [...] More

Bethesda Lutheran Communities Lutheran Student Scholastic & Service Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 5/15/2021
  • Amount: $3,000
  • Bethesda Lutheran Communities offers two scholarships to Lutheran students pursuing undergraduate degrees in any area of service to people with developmental disabilities. Applicant must be an active, communicant member of a Lutheran congregation, a freshmen, sophomore, or junior at an accredited college/university, have a minimum 3.0 GPA and have a career objective in the field of intellectual [...] More

Chips Quinn Scholars Program

  • Application Deadline: 10/1/2020
  • Amount: Varies
  • The Chips Quinn Scholars Program for Diversity in Journalism offers students hands-on training and mentoring by caring news veterans. The program's aim is to provide training and support that will open doors to news and information careers and bring greater diversity to the newsrooms of the U.S. College juniors, seniors, graduate students and recent graduates with majors in journalism or career [...] More

Davidson Fellows Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/12/2021
  • Amount: $50,000
  • The Davidson Fellows Scholarship awards scholarships to extraordinary young people, 18 and under, who have completed a significant piece of work. Application categories are Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy and Outside the Box. Davidson Fellows are honored every year in Washington, D.C. with Congressional meetings and a special reception. Applicants [...] More

Grattan and Stephen T. Gray Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/21/2021
  • Amount: Varies
  • Endowed by the employees of the Monroe Evening News at the time of the completion of their buyout of the paper, this fund provides scholarships to graduates of Monroe County High Schools and high schools in Gibralter, New Boston, Huron, Milan or Flat Rock who are entering the field of journalism. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More

Hope College Distinguised Artist Awards- Creative Writing

  • Application Deadline: 1/6/2021
  • Amount: $12,000
  • The Distinguished Artist Award in Creative Writing is for high school seniors who intend to register at Hope College the fall of their first year at college. It is not required to be an English major or minor, but ward winners must enroll in at least one creative writing class per academic year and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship [...] More

IAEE Helen Brett Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 6/1/2021
  • Amount: $5,000
  • The purpose of the Helen Brett Scholarship is to assist individuals who are enrolled in a four-year degree program with a focus on the study of exhibition and event management. The scholarship serves to promote the exhibitions and events industry by attracting college level students into the field of study and encouraging their pursuit with financial support. Scholarships are awarded [...] More

Interpublic Group Scholarship and Internship

  • Application Deadline: 1/31/2021
  • Amount: Varies
  • The Interpublic Group Scholarship and Internship is awarded to an ethnically diverse student who is currently a college junior and has a demonstrated interest in a career in advertising or public relations. Candidates must be able to fulfill a paid internship during the summer prior to the academic year the scholarship is awarded. Eligible applicants must: be U.S. citizens or permanent residents [...] More

Jack G. Shaheen Mass Communications Scholarship Award

  • Application Deadline: 4/1/2021
  • Amount: $2,500
  • The Jack G. Shaheen Mass Communications Scholarship was created to honor Arab American students who excel in media studies. Applicants must be: currently enrolled as a junior, senior, or graduate student; majoring in journalism, radio, television and/or film; have a 3.0 GPA; and, be a U.S. citizen of Arab heritage. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's [...] More

JEA Journalist of the Year Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 3/15/2021
  • Amount: $3,000
  • Sister Rita Jeanne Scholarships recognize some of the top high school journalists in the country. Applicants must be a graduating high school senior; have at least a 3.0 GPA; have participated in high school journalism for at least two years; submit a digital portfolio; be a state Journalist of the Year winner and a student of a JEA member adviser. Pursuing a degree in journalism is not [...] More

Judy Corman Memorial Scholarship and Internship from Scholastic

  • Application Deadline: 1/26/2021
  • Amount: $10,000
  • The Judy Corman Memorial Scholarship and Internship from Scholastic is awarded to a student interested in communications and media relations and is a rising junior/senior in college who is able to fulfill a paid internship at the company's New York City headquarters during the summer. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More

Kenneth H. Ashworth Fellowship Program

  • Application Deadline: 2/20/2021
  • Amount: Varies
  • The Kenneth H. Ashworth Fellowship Program provides financial assistance to students with financial need who are enrolled in graduate programs in public affairs, public service or public administration. Applicants must be Texas residents who are able to show financial need and are enrolled as graduate students in public affairs, public service or public administration. Only in-state (Texas) [...] More

L. Ron Hubbard Writers of The Future Contest

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: $5,000
  • The L. Ron Hubbard Writers of The Future Contest is an ongoing merit competition for new and amateur aspiring writers. Run on a quarterly basis, an eligible entry is any previously unpublished short story or novelette (under 17,000 words) of science fiction or fantasy. There will be three cash prizes in each quarter: a first place prize of $1,000, a second place prize of $750, and a third place [...] More

Leonard M. Perryman Communications Scholarship for Racial Ethnic Minority Students

  • Application Deadline: 3/15/2021
  • Amount: $2,500
  • The Leonard M. Perryman Communications Scholarship for Racial Ethnic Minority Students awards a scholarship for undergraduate studies of religion, journalism, or communications. The scholarship assists a United Methodist undergraduate who intends to pursue a career in religious journalism through study at an accredited U.S. college or university. Applicants must be a United Methodist ethnic [...] More

National Press Club Scholarship for Journalism Diversity

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2021
  • Amount: $2,500
  • The National Press Club Diversity Scholarship for Studies in Journalism encourages further diversity in journalism. The scholarship consists of a $2,000 one-year scholarship, which can be renewed for up to three years at $2,500 per year, and a first-year stipend of $500 for book purchases. Applicants must be high school seniors with a grade point average of 3.0 or better who are preparing to [...] More

National Press Photographers Foundation Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 12/2/2020
  • Amount: Varies
  • NPPF scholarships are awarded to encourage those with the talent and dedication to photojournalism and who need financial help to continue their studies. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in a four-year college or university in the United States. Individual scholarship requirements may vary. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's [...] More

NDS McCullough Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 4/15/2021
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Since its inception, National Dairy Shrine has recognized the importance of laying a foundation for the future, and has constantly expanded its youth programs to capture and challenge the interest of outstanding dairy youth. An applicant for the McCullough Scholarship must be a high school senior planning to enter a four-year college or university with intent to major in Dairy/Animal Science with [...] More

Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship Fund

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2021
  • Amount: $2,000
  • The Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship is available to graduating seniors from public high schools in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties in Washington state (and a US citizen). Application forms are only available through these high schools and candidates for the scholarship are nominated by their school each year. Scholarships are renewable for four years of college in the state of Washington. [...] More

New York Financial Writers' Association Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 4/15/2021
  • Amount: Varies
  • The New York Financial Writers Association Scholarships are for journalism students in the New York City metropolitan area who wish to pursue a career in business or financial journalism. Complete the application providing your present address and telephone number and, if different, your permanent home address and telephone number. Applications should be available at your department or the NYFWA [...] More

Ohio Newspaper Association University Journalism Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 3/31/2021
  • Amount: $1,250
  • This award is for a student currently enrolled and majoring in a field relevant to our industry, particularly journalism, advertising, marketing, or communications degree program at an Ohio college or university. Applicant must be enrolled as a sophomore, junior, or senior at an Ohio college/university for the upcoming academic year that the scholarship is provided; a 2.5 GPA is required. For [...] More

Overseas Press Club Foundation

  • Application Deadline: 12/1/2020
  • Amount: $2,000
  • Graduate and undergraduate students, studying at American colleges and universities or Americans studying abroad, who aspire to become foreign correspondents, are invited to apply for one of the scholarships or fellowships to be awarded by the Overseas Press Club Foundation. Students win either a $2,000 grant or funding for their overseas experience. In many cases, winning a prestigious OPC [...] More

Park Scholar Award

  • Application Deadline: 1/15/2021
  • Amount: Varies
  • Each year, Ithaca College offers Park Scholar Scholarship Awards to students who are passionate about the field of communications, community service and who thrive on academic and personal challenge. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (federal guidelines), and apply to Ithaca College for an undergraduate major within the Roy H. Park School of Communications. Transfer [...] More

Pulliam Journalism Fellowship

  • Application Deadline: 11/1/2020
  • Amount: $6,500
  • College juniors, seniors, and graduate students enrolled in a journalism or related degree program as of Nov. 1, are eligible to apply for the Pulliam Journalism Fellowship. Previous newspaper journalism internships and/or experience as a journalist on a college newspaper are preferred. You need to be committed to a career in news journalism. You must have reliable transportation and arrange for [...] More

Sacramento Press Club Journalism Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 3/31/2021
  • Amount: $8,000
  • The Sacramento Press Club will be awarding seven scholarships this year, ranging from $4000-$8000. Students must submit a single application to be considered for all of the scholarships. Eligibility: applicants must be college students who will be juniors, seniors, or graduate students for at least one term in the upcoming academic year; and, applicants must have a connection to the 9-county [...] More

SCPA Foundation Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 3/6/2021
  • Amount: $3,000
  • The South Carolina Press Association Foundation awards up to three scholarships each year to S.C. college students interested in pursuing newspaper careers. The foundation encourages talented young people to enter the newspaper business and provides training and growth opportunities for working professionals. Scholarships are open to student journalists who attend a four-year college in South [...] More

SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Application Deadline: 3/5/2021
  • Amount: $5,000
  • The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. Assistance is available for career paths in the automotive industry in accounting, engineering, race car driver/crew, administration information technology, sales/marketing, advertising, business, manufacturing, technician, design/graphics, [...] More

Stoody-West Graduate Fellowship

  • Application Deadline: 3/15/2021
  • Amount: $6,000
  • Applicants of the Stoody-West Graduate Fellowship are judged on Christian commitment and involvement in the United Methodist Church, academic achievement, experience in journalism, or evidence of journalistic talent, clarity of purpose, plans, and goals for the future as well as potential professional ability as a religious journalist. For more information, or to apply, please visit the [...] More

Telegraph Herald Scholastic Journalist Award

  • Application Deadline: 4/1/2021
  • Amount: $1,000
  • The Telegraph Herald Scholastic Journalist Awards are presented to high school seniors studying within the Telegraph Herald's circulation area (roughly a 50-mile radius of Dubuque, Iowa). Applicants must be active in the editorial aspect (news, web, sports, features, photo and art/graphics) of newspapers and submit portfolios demonstrating experience, talent, and leadership in newspaper [...] More

The AAF-Greater Evansville Scholarship Award

  • Application Deadline: 3/31/2021
  • Amount: Varies
  • The AAF-Greater Evansville awards scholarships to deserving high school and/or college students yearly in April. To be eligible, students must plan to pursue a career in advertising, marketing, public relations or graphic design. The applicant must be graduating from a high school or currently attending college in Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey, Gibson, Pike in Indianna or Edwards, White, Wabash, [...] More

The Floyd Mayweather Jr. Foundation: Advancement of Women in Sports & Entertainment Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: $1,000
  • The Floyd Mayweather Jr. Foundation Scholarship for the Advancement of Women in Sports & Entertainment is intended for eligible college and graduate school women who desire to work and contribute their efforts within the field. The scholarship is granted to four applicants annually who are matriculating full-time in their sophomore, junior, senior or first year of graduate school. A minimum GPA [...] More

The George Snow High School Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/1/2021
  • Amount: Varies
  • To be eligible for the George Snow High School Scholarship, applicants must: attend school in Palm Beach County, or select Broward County schools (Blanche Ely High School, Pompano Beach High School, & Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School). Home schooled students living in Palm Beach County or home schooled students that would be attending high school at Blanche Ely High School, Pompano Beach High [...] More

The Harold K. Douthit Regional Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 5/15/2021
  • Amount: $1,000
  • The Ohio Newspapers Foundation will award the Harold K. Douthit Scholarship to a student from northern Ohio who is currently enrolled and majoring in a field relevant to the industry, particularly journalism, advertising, marketing, or a communications degree program at an Ohio college or university. Applicant must have graduated from a high school in Cuyahoga, Lorain, Huron, Erie, Wood, Geauga, [...] More

The Jacqueline Woodson Fellowship for a Young People’s Writer of African or Caribbean Descent

  • Application Deadline: 11/4/2020
  • Amount: $1,000
  • The Jacqueline Woodson Fellowship for a Young People’s Writer of African or Caribbean Descent is offered once annually to applicants during the winter residency/spring semester. Awards must be applied toward the winter residency/spring semester directly following acceptance; fellowships cannot be deferred or applied toward a summer residency/fall semester start. For more information or to apply, [...] More

The James Alan Cox Foundation for Student Photojournalists

  • Application Deadline: 11/15/2020
  • Amount: $2,500
  • Founded in memory of James Alan Cox, a television photojournalist, The James Alan Cox Foundation for Student Photojournalists aims to provide financial support to student photographers of high school and college age. The focus of work and entries is photojournalism. Various scholarships will be awarded to those students whose work "tells a story." This is a fairly broad topic and may include a [...] More

The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Academic Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/1/2021
  • Amount: $8,000
  • Educational scholarship funds from grants administered by the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago are available for Jewish college and graduate students. Approximately $500,000 is available each year for full-time students, predominantly those legally domiciled in the metropolitan Chicago area, who are identified as having promise for significant contributions in their chosen careers. [...] More

The LAGRANT Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 2/28/2021
  • Amount: $2,500
  • LAGRANT Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship recipients will receive a trip to NYC where they will participate in career building activities including a welcome dinner with a keynote speaker, two daylong career & professional development workshops and a scholarship and donor recognition reception. Applicants must be from a minority ethnic group and be a full-time student at a four-year accredited [...] More

The Walter J. Travis Memorial Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 5/1/2021
  • Amount: $1,000
  • The Walter J. Travis Memorial Scholarship is an annual award given to honor the remarkable accomplishments and contributions of Walter J. Travis in the game of golf. Applicants must be enrolled/matriculated as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited two-year or four-year college/university and pursuing a career in one of the following professions: landscape design/golf [...] More

Upper Midwest Emmy Chapter/Foundation Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 2/5/2021
  • Amount: $3,000
  • The NATAS-Upper Midwest Chapter/Foundation offers $2,500 student scholarship grants to be used for tuition & books. Scholarships are open to high school and college/university students living in the five-state area served by the Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa & western Wisconsin). Applicants must submit a [...] More

Valley Press Club Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 4/1/2021
  • Amount: Varies
  • Any high school senior from the four counties in Western Massachusetts, who has applied to college and is committed to pursuing journalism as their academic major or minor, is eligible for the Valley Press Club Scholarship. Recipients are notified in May. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More

William B. Ruggles Journalist Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 1/31/2021
  • Amount: $2,000
  • The William B. Ruggles Right to Work Scholarship honors the esteemed Texas journalist who coined the phrase "Right to Work" and contributed greatly to the movement's advancement. A $2,000 scholarship is awarded annually to the student who exemplifies the dedication to principle and high journalistic standards of the late Mr. Ruggles. Eligible applicants must: be pursuing a degree in journalism [...] More

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Last Reviewed: August 2020

Public Relations Scholarships

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